How good are you really?

[gone]

Quinny said:

Not sure I agree Gone. Yes I have pride in my car, house, work ethic etc, but I just don't see the relationship between checking everything, and standards of driving. I mean, my car was in perfect working order, recently serviced, MOT'd, insured and taxed.

How do you know?
Tyres put up with a tremendous amount of abuse travelling over different surfaces. Do you know if there has been a bulge develop when the missus hit the kerb when she went shopping? Is there a cut in the tyre that you haven't noticed?
If you need to use a headlamp warning, are you sure both full beam bulbs actually work?

[WildCat]

gone said:

Quinny said: Not sure I agree Gone. Yes I have pride in my car, house, work ethic etc, but I just don't see the relationship between checking everything, and standards of driving. I mean, my car was in perfect working order, recently serviced, MOT'd, insured and taxed. How do you know? Tyres put up with a tremendous amount of abuse travelling over different surfaces. Do you know if there has been a bulge develop when the missus hit the kerb when she went shopping? Is there a cut in the tyre that you haven't noticed? If you need to use a headlamp warning, are you sure both full beam bulbs actually work?

Ypu can check by feeling over tyre und also when you stop - feel for excess heart in tyre. If tyre ist very warm -ist problem.

Front tyre easy enough to check. Rear need bit more effort fer a "kerbing" But even a kick into tyre can reveal something ....

Und lights ist easy to check. I switch all on und just walk around und for the brake light - reflectio in other car in drive or window or even light up of garden psot tell me if reverse und brakes are working.

Ist simplest stuff - nicht?

Ist P.O . W. E . R before set off und C O A S T when drive - nicht? Ist a simple message und bot work.

COAST simply expand OAP in Road Craft as P ist so wide so ist split to S und T - Planning ist the giving of SPACE und TIME. Ist just so simple - und the SPace und Tine ist the SPEED adjust element - und as we all know - safest speed ist not necaessarily the limited speed und nor ist the limtied speed thetarget speed... ist just so logical.

[turbobloke]

Good questions to post, gone, always useful to refresh and remind like that. Never too young to remember, never too old to learn.

[TripleS]

tim.tonal said:

mechsympathy said: ...I haven't done any formal advanced driving, but I've read alot and think about what goes on. ... I've not had formal training, either. Just driven a very high mileage for the majority of my driving life, mainly with work, more latterly for pleasure. Soon to start a new job with more travelling . Nothing has happened to surprise me out there for many years, however I'm not big-headed or complacent about how 'good' a driver I am and still learn things when I'm out there. If anything I'm very critical of myself.

I'm with you two fellows in that respect. As for depending on quick reactions etc. - I certainly don't. There was one instance in 2003 when I needed to do a bit of heavy braking, and one incident in 2004 that needed a sudden swerve, but that's about all. If I need to do anything in a hurry, I reckon I've cocked up somewhere.

Best wishes all,
Dave.

[off_again]

Good questions.... answers below:

gone said:

1. How many drivers check their vehicle every day for defects before they drive them?

Not every day since I dont use it every day. But a quick scan will be carried out each day. Tyres, water, oil and other essentials are checked weekly.

gone said:

2. Do you walk around your vehilce and check for tyre wear/indicators and lights working?

On board computer detects light failures and check tyres weekly. However, do check the lights before any driving at night.

gone said:

3.Do you do a safety check of the braking system before you start and over the first few rolling feet of your journey to see if your brakes are functioning correctly?

Again, onboard computer does some checking. Also, due to the nature of my road brakes are always checked within 30 feet of my house. However, I will admit that the speed sensor has failed and hence I have ABS and TC lights on - will get resolved shortly.

gone said:

4. Do you resist the temptation of using communication equipment whilst in motion if it is not fixed to the vehicle.

Yep. Carkit - do lots of driving and hence value my license.

gone said:

5. Do you take account of the relevant weather conditions when you jump in and turn the key?

Yep, again always check essentials. For example if its hot then make sure the water is fine or washer level if its very hot. No point starting if you cant finish the journey.

gone said:

6. Do you know how to read the road properly?

Yep. Professionally taught.

gone said:

7. Can you cope with an emergency in dangerous circumstances by reducing the risks to yourself and to others.

Yes, again no point in not getting to my destination. If that means reducing my risks (reducing speed etc) then I will do it. I have a phone and can always say I am going to be late!

gone said:

8. Are you able or confident to assist others who may be hurt as a result of a mistake they or someone else has made?

Yep, First Aider and carry a first aid kit in the car. Also have warning triangle and small set of tools just in case.

gone said:

9. When did you last have your eyesight checked?

5 Months ago. No change in quality.

gone said:

10. Do you drive on reactions or plans?

Plans. Use satnav to assist in plan and with knowledge that any changes can be re-planned without the need for stress or confusion.

Good questions and thought provoking. If only most people would do this.... mind you, I am not perfect. I can do more and should do. Drivers fail to understand that they are responsible for these things - its not the car (I am guilty of this too).

[Flat in Fifth]

Dwight VanDriver said:

Forum Commendation FiF.

Aw shucks, shuffles feet in embarrassment. Actually credit goes to P. (You know who I mean!) Hammered it in and led by example, best sort of teaching.

Dwight VanDriver said:

(Didtah git opp North and hev a beffy of Theakstons?) Smith/)

Yes and no.
Yes=In the end didn't get much further north than a line level with Flamborough.
No=Almost TT these days, quackery imminent. Nerves building, question yesterday from medics.
Medic: So which side are we doing?
FiF. Err you are supposed to be telling me that.
Medic: hmmmmmm......

No doubt I'll go in expecting to wake up with a big scar in one side only to find a non existent ingrowing toenail removed. Such is life.

[mcflurry]

gone said:

If you need to use a headlamp warning, are you sure both full beam bulbs actually work?

If the road is lit up at night where my headlights point, then I believe my bulbs are working lol

[Pies]

This is something im struggling to understand in my driving

Work car

1 Nope
2 Nope
3 Nope
4 Nope
5 Yep

6 Not sure i read and practice but unless somebody actually tells me im doing it right i guess ill never know,more traing required

7 Not sure i understand the question. I try to avoid dangerous situations before the become dangerous,if that answers the question if not NO

8 NO
9 Couple of months ago
10 reactions

TVR

1-5 all yes
6-9 as above
10 Plans

Can somebody explain why driving a different car changes my attitude

[gh0st]

Just out of interest Pies, why do you treat the basic safety checks for you company car any different from your own car

Despite the car, you are still driving it and its your life / other peoples on the line if it has a problem...

[Pies]

gh0st said:

Just out of interest Pies, why do you treat the basic safety checks for you company car any different from your own car ..

Your confused,I've no idea and whats worse i drive 40k per year in it

[7db]

Pies said:

... i drive 40k per year in it

As my golf instructor told me:- practice make permanent. People who do lots of miles just have deeper engrained bad habits...

[Mad Dave]

gone said:

Following on from a thread by safespeed about 'Roadworks bombshell' and the message that safespeed puts over about safer roads and training I have had the following thoughts and would like you to examine whether you are the 'as complete driver' you think you are. 1. How many drivers check their vehicle every day for defects before they drive them?

Not every day, but then I generally only use it for a couple of miles a day. I like to think i'm pretty in tune with the noises/feelings a car makes, so would notice anything that was degrading.

gone said:

2. Do you walk around your vehilce and check for tyre wear/indicators and lights working?

Weekly, though I have a mental note of tyre wear anyway as my motorcycle uses them SO fast.

gone said:

3.Do you do a safety check of the braking system before you start and over the first few rolling feet of your journey to see if your brakes are functioning correctly?

Testing them over the first few feet is something I do every time I drive, but other than physically checking the pads/discs (which I do weekly) there's not a lot else you can do on a daily basis?

gone said:

4. Do you resist the temptation of using communication equipment whilst in motion if it is not fixed to the vehicle.

I have a loudspeaker function on my phone so I can place the phone on the dash and still speak, though I keep it very brief, and don't text message so I see so many people doing.

gone said:

5. Do you take account of the relevant weather conditions when you jump in and turn the key?

Every day - if it's sunny (or if I have to do a long distance) I use the bike, if it's raining, I usually use the car!!

gone said:

6. Do you know how to read the road properly?

I would say so - IAM bike training has taught me to to read the road pretty well. I've generally reacted to a hazard before the person in front has even seen it.

gone said:

7. Can you cope with an emergency in dangerous circumstances by reducing the risks to yourself and to others.

Been first on scene at a pretty serious smash. I assisted the chap clambering out of the unrecognisable, upside down, hatchback, whilst a friend assisted the poor family he smashed into, mid roll. We directed traffic (told them all alternative routes), kept people away from the stricken vehicles (we could smell petrol) and call/directed the emergency services in and even helped to get the car back on it's wheels.

gone said:

8. Are you able or confident to assist others who may be hurt as a result of a mistake they or someone else has made?

Confident to assist, though my first aid is very rusty. I have an aspiration to become an ambulance technician so that will have to change if that particular thing gains momentum.

gone said:

9. When did you last have your eyesight checked?

About a year ago.

gone said:

10. Do you drive on reactions or plans?

Not really sure I understand exactly what each entails, but I would say a bit of both.



>> Edited by Mad Dave on Thursday 22 September 10:23

[Adom]

gone said:

Following on from a thread by safespeed about 'Roadworks bombshell' and the message that safespeed puts over about safer roads and training I have had the following thoughts and would like you to examine whether you are the 'as complete driver' you think you are. 1. How many drivers check their vehicle every day for defects before they drive them?

Cursory glance around the cars but not routinely every time I drive them.

gone said:

2. Do you walk around your vehilce and check for tyre wear/indicators and lights working?

Yep, but again not everytime I drive them. If I've just replaced the tyres and not done anything to knock the alignment out or feel the car pulling to one side then probably won't consider tyre wear for a while. Don't generally check lights, can tell if the headlights aren't working and indicator does that quick clicking thing when they are blown.

gone said:

3.Do you do a safety check of the braking system before you start and over the first few rolling feet of your journey to see if your brakes are functioning correctly?

Well I put my foot on the pedal, ensure it doesn't go to the floor and that it slows the car down. Listen out for grinding, feel for juddering etc. Have a pretty good idea as to what my wear rates are and other than occasional looks, the pads and discs are checked only regularly once I estimate they will be coming to an end of their life, unless of course I feel something out of the ordinary.

gone said:

4. Do you resist the temptation of using communication equipment whilst in motion if it is not fixed to the vehicle.

Use mobile with bluetooth headset. The phone sits in the cradle and I answer calls by pressing the button on the headset. Make occasional outgoing calls whilst driving.

gone said:

5. Do you take account of the relevant weather conditions when you jump in and turn the key?

Of course.

gone said:

6. Do you know how to read the road properly?

Depends upon your definition of properly, I haven't had any specific training. Feel my observation is pretty good, scanning for hazards and anticipation, generally expecting every other driver to be a muppet.

gone said:

7. Can you cope with an emergency in dangerous circumstances by reducing the risks to yourself and to others.

I doubt it.

gone said:

8. Are you able or confident to assist others who may be hurt as a result of a mistake they or someone else has made?

Nope.

gone said:

9. When did you last have your eyesight checked?

One month ago

gone said:

10. Do you drive on reactions or plans?

Not sure what you mean, which I suspect - along with my other answers - makes me far from a complete driver.